‘Pitch Perfect 2’ Opens On High Note Down Under, Outpacing Original By Over 200%

Australia was the top overseas market for 2012’s Pitch Perfect, Universal’s a cappella-themed comedy that earned more than $13M there. Ahead of its day-and-date rollout with North America next week, the sequel tuned up in Oz and New Zealand yesterday and is outpacing the original by more than 200%. Pitch Perfect 2 opened at No. 1 in both territories with combined grosses of $1.87M. It marked the fourth-biggest opening day of 2015 in Australia, behind blockbuster tentpoles Avengers: Age Of Ultron, Furious 7 and Fifty Shades Of Grey.

Developed and produced by Universal, Gold Circle Entertainment and Brownstone Productions, Pitch Perfect 2 reunites stars Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow and Elizabeth Banks and adds Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld to the singing Barden Bellas. Banks directs this time in her feature helming debut. There’s added offshore appeal with the Bellas entering the World Championships of A Cappella in Copenhagen in a bid to redeem their legacy. The first film made about $50M abroad.

A savvy marketing plan Down Under highlighted the music and comedy in the film. Key talent were widely accessible for interviews, while Universal partnered with Vocal Australia and the Australian A Cappella Championships as well as local performing arts organizations for various a cappella performance related stunts.

The film also got a weeklong jump before Mad Max: Fury Road, which has key ties Down Under, thunders into Oz. Pitch Perfect 2 starts its further international rollout next Wednesday with 27 overseas markets opening through the weekend including the UK, Germany and Russia.